Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-10-12
MADISON VISITED.
The Presidential Party at the State C;
ital.

The Presidential Party at the State Cap
ital.
On reaching the capitol the President
was formally welcomed to the city by
Chief Justice Cole, to which he re-
sponded as follows:
"MR. MAYOR AND CITIZENS OF MADI-
SON: After week spent in travel and
IN visiting the people of the great West,
we have come 10 rest awhile
at the capital Of Wisconsin, known
as the most beautiful in location
and scenery of all the cities of this
region. We have come to see your
lakes and the other features Of beauty
that give you the reputation SO well de-
served. You are not to understand that
we need and desire rest so much that
we do not care to see the good people
Of Madison, Tor that would be mistake.
Though we see them at their home for
the first time they are not unknown to
us. We knew you at the seat Of the
national government through your fell
low tOwnsman who has done honor to
his home and 10 his neighbors
by a most successful and conscien-
tlous performance of important
public duty and who has earned as he
has received the respec; and esteem of
every citizen who desires the welfare of
his country. So our desire to actually
see you and to know you better is per-
fectly natural. 1t seemed to me when [
planned the trip which we have under
taken that Madison would be proper
place at which to make our first stop
fer rest. [ have always observed
that when man wants to do something
of this kind he can quite readily find a
tn T n
the idea of staying at Madison over Sun
day and testing the kindness of her
citizens and the hospitality of the
postmaster-general, all l had to do
was to imagine that we would
be very much iatigued when
we reached here, and in need of the
rest [ was determined we should have.
Thus we are here and tired enough to
justify my plans. [ am already satisfied
that all descriptions Of your city with
which / have been favored have failed
to give me an adequate idea of its beauty,
of its broad and pleasant streets and of
its fine public and private buildings.
am already prepared to venture
the assertion based upon the very
slight observation that this is the home
of kind, hearty, and hospitable people.
The influence upon a community of
such university as has its seat here,
the alma mater of hundreds of educated
and useful men scattered throughout
our entire Western country, is greater
than is at first glance appreciated
IL fosters certain refinement and
cultivation which radiate to all the
homes within it's sphere, vastly enhanc-
Ing their value as nurseries of steady
and intelligent citizenship. [ expect to
heartily enjoy my stay here and to al
ways cherish pleasing recollections Of
your city and its inhabitants"
After the speeches a short rest was
taken. A public reception was then
held in the rotunda, but after half an
hour of vigorous handshaking the Presi-
dent was obliged to rest his muscles,
and the balance of the multitude filed
silently by with only the satisfaction of
a momentary glimpse at short range of
the President and his bride.
After another brief rest a drive was
taken to the fair grounds, where the
county fair was in progress.
At o'clock an official dinner
was given by Postmaster-G General
Villas and Mrs. Villas in honor of Presi-
dent and Mrs. Cleveland. Elaborate
arrangements had been made for the
affair, and it proved very enjoyable
occasion. The viands were of the
choicest and were shipped by ex-
press direct from Eastern cities on
ice. The dining room was hand